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Bristol Junior Chamber

 AGM Minutes – Tuesday 5th April 2015 – 6pm – Merchants Hall

 Attendees–

 Honorary Vice-Presidents–

 Bob Durie and James Durie (2 HVPs). Members– Gemma Alaway, Tom Alexander, Thomas Bacon, Lucy Baldwin, Robert Barnes,Georgina Baxter, David Bird, Amy Bracey, Karl Brown, Oliver Brown, Jack Callow, Charles

Chami, Edward Chapman, Chris Conway, James Cook, Emma Custance-Baker, Laura East,Tim Fairlie, James Forward, Tom Gable, Kerry Grove, Edward Gunnery, Michael Holder,Owen Jennings, Benjamin Kenny, Alexandra Momtahan, Leon Musmann, Miles Nesbitt,Robert Nye, Carly O’Dwyer, Gemma-Jane Ogden, Alice Peacock, Benjamin Pean, MichaelPearce, Lauren Preedy, Rebecca Purchase, Edward Romaine, Samantha Rosoman, Ashley

Sandeman, Daniel Smith, Ben St.Quintin, Paul Staples, Kirsty Swan, Helene Titus-Glover,Megan Turnbull (45 members). Guests – Audrey Husson (1 guest).

 Apologies: Ben Hardy, Darren Jones, Andrew Evans, Lucy Carson, Simon Pitchers (HVP),

Mark Langmead, Alistair Kimpton, Claire Tomlin

Introductions

i.  Ben St.Quintin (BSQ) – Welcome to our 67th Annual General Meeting of the BJC.Introduction of Tom Selway (TS) President 2013-2014 and Robert Nye (RN)Treasurer 2013-2014 to present the accounts for this year.

Signing off on the Accounts from 2014-2015

i.  LM – Summary of accounts for the year 2014-2015. Few things wanted to achieve;good value for money for members and as robust accounts as possible. Turnover was

a good figure, but down slightly. Better debtor control was focused on, and this wasable to be brought down – and more cash in the accounts. More typical balance forthe year is a 10k mark; prudent amount of cash to have. Creditors; we were paying

things on time. Those are the headline figures.ii.  BSQ – Show of hands for the accounts. All in favour, with no against or abstaining.

 Accounts approved.

Signing off on the Minutes from the AGM 2015

i.  BSQ– Any queries about the minutes?ii.  BSQ – Show of hands for the minutes 2015. All in favour, with no against and no

abstaining. Minutes approved.

Review from Council of Management 2015-2016 (0utgoing only)

i.  Immediate Past-President – Karl Brown (KB) – Not much to report, but wanted tocongratulate Ben on a fantastic year and wish Oliver all the best. As 8 years as amember and 7 years on the Council of Management, last moment as a member – BJC

is a fantastic member, you get out what you put in. I got an awful lot back, it hashelped me professionally and in other areas of my life. Wherever I am, I will always

 be a friend of the BJC.ii.  Treasurer – Tom Alexander (TA) – It’s been a great year, and I’m happy with the

strong cash flow for the BJC accounts – we will continue to progress in a strongfinancial capacity under the direction of next year. Everyone I have worked with this

 year has helped me develop in my role, wish you every success going forward.

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iii.  Marketing & PR – Laura East (LE) – Strong personality maintained on Facebook,hope the content has been engaging – 6,000 reach on Facebook and on Twitter. It’s

 been a great year, best of luck to the new Chair of Marketing.iv.  Education & Skills – Rob Barnes (RB) – School interviews this year has been

successful, 100+ students directly benefiting from 5 schools – overwhelmingly good

reviews. BJC members offering up their time has been incredible, thank you – AlexCross, Lyndsey Mayhew, Claire Tomlin, Georgie Baxter and Karl Brown. A quote

from a school we worked with this year “I would like to thank you so much for thehuge effort you put into [the school interviews]! We are so fortunate that you have

these brilliant young professionals that you can call upon and they roll up and get on with things in such a professional and completely amazing way! The L6th, withoutexception, say how much they get from these interviews so please do pass on our

thanks”. v.  Chair of Heritage and Culture – Gareth Mason (GM) Absent, read by BSQ – Three

 years in the role, and has done an excellent job, thank you Gareth.

The Handover

i.  President – Ben St.Quintin (BSQ) – A formal thanks to the CofM and all others, whohave assisted in delivering a really great BJC year. A year ago, I was nervous and notsure what the year ahead would hold – I wanted to focus my year on promoting andgiving back to Bristol; lots of new venues and locations. We’ve averaged 50 attendeesat every meeting, networking and business off the back of that. Promoting Bristol

heavily internationally too, we look forward to going back to Hanover in July. BristolLeadership Programme, Rotary charitable donation, first Junior Apprentice. I’m afirm believer that the BJC provides the best networking opportunities for youngpeople in this city – providing contacts and friends. Prospective new member wentalong to a property networking breakfast, new employee too, came away with two

connections and doing business with them – the power of the BJC. The BJC is notthe sort of organisation you want to stand on the edge of, be in the middle and get

involved. You’ll find it rewarding. I hope you have a good year and it’s been apleasure to be the President for the last 12 months.

ii.  Ed Gunnery is also leaving the BJC, as it is his last year as a member – formally

marked occasion, moving on to be in the 39’ers. Thank you Ed. a)  Ed Gunnery (EG) – President 2006, been a member for 16 years. Changed a

phenomenal amount, from very formal interviews with 40 members. Been afantastic time, I will carry on influencing from the 39’ers – will continue to beinvolved. Thank you.

iii.  BSQ – Formal hand over of the gavel and the BJC gong from BSQ to OB. Handover

of the rod for the Hanover exchange. Handover from OB to BSQ of the IPP medal.

The President

i.  Oliver Brown (OB) – Thank you to the outgoing President BSQ (and congratulations

on the engagement too). 2016-2017; there are certain things I want to achieve;a)  Incubator Projector – BJC to invest in start-up project in Bristol, providing a

team of mentors to help this young business in their infancy. The BJC helped

found the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, time to get out into thecommunity and let them know what we can do and see if we can help.

 b)  Joining Fee – As from 1st April 2016, reduced from £120 to £60. Appreciate thateveryone has paid this amount in this room, but going forward – we are under-

represented in some areas; social enterprise, charities, start-up businesses. Domore in that area. We have doubled in size, and the last few

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Presidents/Treasurers has been very good at getting bad debt sorted – we are ina good financial position.

c)   We have a usual rolling calendar of events and good speakers for the monthlymeetings.

d)  Encourage members to get in touch and get involved.

The Elections

i.  Charlie Chami (CC) – Vice-President – As outgoing Chair of B&E; veryenjoyable for past two years – really hit the ground running. Lots of stuff I got done,

 we arranged 4 networking breakfasts (including 2 property specific ones) and 3 business visits (Cameron Balloons, Bloodhound and Marshfield Bakery), 1networking lunch with Clare Moody MEP. Partnership with UWE Distinguished

 Address Series was carried on with, promoting BJC/UWE connections. Polled BJC

membership about Brexit; a re-sounding ‘stay’. Two business mayoral hustings, nextof which is coming up for 14th April. On to the VP nomination; graduated inEconomics & Business, had a good 7 years in London. Now work as Director atfamily business. Whatever expectations I had, they have been exceeded – continue to be impressed by what BJC has to offer and I feel a better person for it. Being on theCofM has taught me a huge amount, and looking forward to the VP position. Have

 been advised to be open to new ideas and opportunities, but have ideas already fornew Presidential year. Networking events focus. Expanding membership – socialmedia, to drive sign ups specifically. Launch BJC Summer Internship – 

student/sixth former on a 4-6 week internship by companies represented by the BJC. a)  OB – To a vote; all in favour, non against, none abstaining.

i. 

 Alice Peacock (AP)–

 Honorary Secretary–

 I have been a member for 5 years,have done this role for 3 years and enjoy the variety of tasks and roles it offers, working alongside the CofM.

a)  OB – To a vote; all in favour, none against, none abstaining.ii.  Ben Kenny (BK) – Co-Treasurer – To challenge decisions, to ensure the deficit

runs sustainably (with plan to reduce the joining fee). Forensic accountant. Like tofollow on from excellent work of Tom.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstaining.

iii.  Jack Callow (JC) – Co-Treasurer –  Work at Bishop Fleming, qualifiedaccountant. Member of BJC for 2 years. Good at chasing debts, and to bring

something more to the table.

a) 

OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstaining.iv.  Heather Rees (HR) – Chair of Membership - Been a really positive year, 47

new members – total number is 158; the largest BJC has ever been. Legal, finance,property the three largest sectors (67%) but with new additions, we’re diversifying.

 We’ve continued with pop-up drinks with a craft beer theme, really good mix ofmembers and guests. First prospective members drinks as well, which went well.Positive year with aim of building the BJC. To look forward to the year ahead;

introduce BJC to wider audience. Greatest challenge has been trying to broaden themembership – the joining fee has been prohibitive; this reduction will be a positive

change – trying to meet people that may not have joined otherwise.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

 v. 

Emma Custance-Baker–

 Chair of Marketing & PR  – Joined the BJC two years ago, work at Deloitte in VAT advice. Prior to this at Bristol University. Plan for

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Marketing & PR – broaden the BJC, social media –  build on Laura’s great work. When I joined, I didn’t kno w what BJC was – like to open this out and try to market it

in new and different ways to access a broader range of people. With new website;utilise this as much as possible.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

 vi. 

OB – First contested position is Chair of Business and Enterprise i.  Rob Nye – I am a wealth manager, working with entrepreneurs in Bristol

and surrounding areas. I have been a member for 4 years; was on CofMpreviously in 2012/2013, and have been involved in Hanover and Bordeaux

exchange, and BJC investments, Annual Dinners and Dragon Boat Racing andSoftball. Building on work of predecessors; focus on fostering relationships ofBJC businesses – real value in increasing opportunities to find out what we

do; weekly email Members Bio about what we do, continue relationship withUWE and networking breakfasts including branching out to other industries,

promoting Bristol – in interesting political year.ii.  Kirsty Swan – I am a solicitor, I joined in 2014 and have been involved in a

few different areas and am Chair of Softball team. Look to organise events toadd value to your business. Events for business owners; client base andprofits. BusinessWest; events to tie in with their membership and theirnetwork. Last year’s events; seeking to keep this going and hold upcomingevents. Topical presentations – important to help members personal growthas well as business growth; mortgages/savings, pensions. Plan of action; a lot

going on in Bristol in terms of devolution etc – Junction 21 enterprise zone,Bristol & Bath Science Park.

a)  Member Question – Both have ideas, what would you prioritise;o  KS –  As a business owner I’d focus on Business Seminars, training. o  RN – President sets the focus; internal networking.

 b) 

Member Question – Networking event with anyone from Bristol living ordead?

o  RN – Isambard Kingdom Brunelo  KS – Jaya Chakrabarti; modern slavery act.

ix.  Rebecca Purchase (RP) – Chair of Events – New venues, locally sourced, more

Bristol products was my focus for this year. Clifton Club gave us more flexibility andspace, Yurt Lush was completely different again. Spring Drinks will be held at the RWA

again. Members Dinner will be held at the Clifton Club again. The Christmas Party movethis to a Friday; informal event was on a Tuesday so look to move this later in the week –  Yurt Lush was popular as it was a different location. Annual Dinner, Marriott Royal has been a great venue – will be at Paintworks or Ashton Gate in terms of size and value for

money. Tried to keep prices down; you’ve paid less than the previous year – the eventsare for you – as good value for money as possible and payments through Eventbrite.These events are hard to put on, time and effort, social committee together – strongcommittee for all events will help going forward next year. This would help with thechangeover going forward.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

x.  Georgie Baxter (GB) - Chair of Education & Skills – Time to come back this year,having had a year off from buying a house/moving jobs, great programme and worksreally well – hope to get members involved running at each school. Young Professional

 Women’s week – South Bristol Youth; week long programme of events. Thanks to a greatsuccess of that; Young Professional Gentlemen’s week too. Ablaze, UWE, Leadership

Programme, Young Enterprise – lots of partnerships. Members can dip in and out.a) OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

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xi.  OB – Results from the contested positions announced;

  Chair of Business & Enterprise– Kirsty Swan

  OB – Congratulations to Kirsty, commiserations to Rob – hope you can help out with the Incubator project.

xii.  Rob Barnes (RB) - Chair of Culture & Heritage – Enjoyed experiencing everything

Bristol has to offer. Key cultural event every quarter, and using social media and eventson weekly emails/social media to publicise other events (not BJC related, but topromote). Encourage you to join in!a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

xiii.  Benjamin Pean (BP) - Chair of Charity  – I would like to take this role, to achievethings in an original and more consistent way. To offer charities visibility platform; toraise funds – together.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

xii.  BSQ – Michael Pearce is keen to continue in his role as Company Secretary. Show of

hands.a)  OB – To a vote, all in favour, none against, 1 abstention.

 AOB;

  James Durie – Honorary Vice-President – Was delighted to be asked to be honorary

 Vice-President last year, good news on numbers and debtors – the numbers heretonight is fantastic. It’s fantastic to see it going from strength to strength, I would

encourage you to get involved. For those that aren’t on CofM, and best of luck tothose elected tonight, it is about getting people to give it a go. If you are an ‘ordinarymember’ it is fantastic to get stuck in.  You can learn to make speeches, make

mistakes, things you wouldn’t otherwise get to do – I wish you the very best of luck.

  LE – Latest edition of The Bugle is at the back of the room, please do take a copy.

  RP – Spring Drinks is 19th May at the RWA.

Meeting finishes 20.00 – Adjourn to The Mall Pub